SECTION 5: IN THE EVENT OF DEATH
When a veteran dies, the spouse or family must take care of certain arrangements. The following is a suggest guideline for doing this:
· Contact Funeral Director
· Contact your Clergy
· Furnish the funeral director a copy of the veteran's discharge, DD 214, Veterans Administration claim number, if known, and the veteran's social security number.
· The funeral director will apply for the amount allowed from the VA toward burial expenses and also the allowed amount from Social Security for burial.
· The funeral director will apply for the US Flag to drape the casket or contact local postmaster for a flag. Funeral director will request military honors if the family desires.
· Spouse can use a Veterans Benefits Counselor, a Post Service Officer for assistance to apply for the following if appropriate:
· Widow or children compensation
· Widow or children pension
· VA Death benefits:
·
-Death Benefit
-Burial Plot allowance
-Headstone or Grave Marker
Note: There are details on these programs in this book, or check at your local Regional Office for more information. If the veteran is drawing Compensation or NSC Pension from the VA, you will want to contact the VA immediately. To do this phone:
1 800 827 1000
The last months payment to a veteran collecting Compensation or Pension is normally returned to the VA and then a pro-rated amount pay. It was determined in 2008 that many surviving spouses were not receiving that pro-rated check. Action was take to ensure that this was paid and a helpline was established where an individual could call:
(800) 749-8387
For more information on Survivor's Benefits go to: http://www.vba.va.gov/survivorsbenefit.htm
Important documents to have available for the VA and Social Security:
· DD 214
· Marriage License
· Birth Certificate
· Death Certificate
· Veterans social security card and number, VA claim number
· Divorce papers (if applicable)
· Adoption papers (if applicable)
· Proof of age.
(See earlier section on Social Security to see what they require in filing).
Social Security Hotline: 1 800 772 1213
County or State benefits: This varies from state to state and county to county. Individual must check in the area of residence.
Insurance: A death certificate is always required to receive payment.
Note: If Veteran is drawing Retired Duty Pay from the Department of Defense there is a need to contact DOD. You may need to contact the following Departments:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Cleveland Center Retired Pay Department (Code FRCCBB),
PO BX 99191
Cleveland, OH 44199-1126
1 800 321 1080
If there is a death notify: The Retired Casualty Section: 1 800 269 5170
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The VA has an excellent website on Burial Benefits at: http://www.cem.va.gov/
The following is a series of questions and answers on various burial benefits. It can be complicated to separate out the entitlement. Death causes stress in all families and it is best to obtain assistance when filing for these benefits.
* Who can be buried in a National Cemetery?
1. A vet who served on active duty and discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
2. Persons who die on active duty.
3. A reservist who dies while hospitalized or undergoing treatment at government expense or dies as a result of an injury or disease contracted while on active duty (Reserve includes National Guard)
4. Member of Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC that dies traveling to or attending authorized training camp or practice cruise, or you die while hospitalized or under treatment at government expense for an injury or a disease incurred at camp or in travel to camp.
5. Those who served during war with an allied force and are a U.S. citizen when you die.
6. Unmarried spouse who survived the veteran, and remarried spouse over the age of 57.
Editor’s note: This reflects a 2003 change in the law. Up to this time remarriage to a non-veteran terminated burial rights.
7. Veteran's minor child.
Remember that there are people in your medical facility that deal specifically with death and burial. Usually, this is called Decedent Affairs.
* Can anyone eligible to be buried in a National Cemetery be buried in any National Cemetery that they want?
The answer to the question is No. Some of the existing National Cemeteries are already full, and it is impossible to be buried in them.
Currently the VA maintains well over 100 National Cemeteries. You cannot specify the cemetery in which you want to be buried; it is a matter of space availability in an existing cemetery. You cannot reserve a space in advance. Estimates run as high as 10% of veterans eligible for this service utilize it.
The VA is attempting to expand its cemetery capacity. To reach the VA Cemetery Service call:
1 800 697 6947.
Or go to: http://www.cem.va.gov/
* Are there cash payments from the VA when a veteran dies?
1. For deaths prior to December 18, 1989 there was a cash allowance for grave markers for those that did not use government-furnished headstones. This was in the 100 dollar range. In cases of death after this date, there is no allowance. Originally there was a two year window to apply, but General Counsel reversed this, and there is no time limit for application. The rule for the provision of markers for graves with existing markers was modified in 2008. The wording on the regulation is very, very confusing. It is worthwhile for an individual to obtain assistance at RO. Or called VA headquarters on this:
Director of Memorial Programs Service (MPS), National Cemetery Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC
20420. Telephone: (202) 501-3060 (this is not a toll-free number).
2. Reimbursement for Burial Allowances. There are 4 different kinds:
For more details on this go to: http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/factsheets/burials/Burialeg_0508.doc
a. Service Connected Death
There is a payment, but the VA must agree that the death was linked to an SC cause. The amount is about $2000. And since it is reimbursement it probably should be stated as up to $2000.
b. Non Service Connected Death
Please note, you must be drawing compensation or pension from the VA or have a claim pending and the claim must be sufficient to allow the awarding of benefits. If the death is from a non-service connected cause the amount is about $300.
This dollar amount can be available in two other instances:
- A veteran with a non SC disability dies in a VA hospital, a VA nursing home (or one paid for by the VA) or a domiciliary (VA)
- The CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) at 3.1600 makes this payment allowable to vets with no next of kin.
c. Plot Allowance
There is a $300 allowance for a vet discharged from active duty due to a disability, died while receiving pension or compensation, or died while in a VA facility. This is not paid when a National Cemetery is used. This allowance is not available if the cause of death is service connected, and then it is covered under the first allowance mentioned.
There is a 2 year window in filing for this.
d. Transportation Expenses to a National Cemetery
This allowance covers shipping, permits, shipping case, cost of sealing the case and two pickups by a hearse. It is covered by 38 CFR 3.1606.
This is not available to everyone. It is available when a person: Dies of a service connected death, and is in receipt of compensation, or could be (they may be drawing military retirement instead). Or, the vet dies in VA facility.
There is no deadline on filing for this.
Cremation
There are certain benefits and reimbursement related to cremation. It is suggested you contact Regional Office for further details on entitlements, to include interment at a National Cemetery.
Requesting a Ceremonial Flag
Flags may be obtained by going through:
· VA Regional Office
· National Cemetery And
· Most Post Offices
A Presidential Memorial Certificate can be obtained from Regional Office.
Eligibility for a Ceremonial flag includes other than dishonorable discharge and any of the following:
· Veteran of any war
· Served at least one enlistment
· Discharged for active service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
· Served after January 31, 1955
The VA will not reimburse for privately purchased flags.
PLEASE NOTE: In the event of death, VA checks for the month of death must be returned to Regional Office. As of October 1996 the family will be paid for the final month (prorated). The original check must be returned because there is no one to legally endorse it.
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A veteran may have many types of life insurance. First, there is any type of private insurance purchased. Second, the veteran may have elected to keep Servicemen's Group Life Insurance after discharge from the military. This would have eventually been converted into term National Servicemen's Life Insurance, NSLI, or United States Group Life Insurance. Currently, only NSLI is used for new enrollees.
For more information on Life Insurance go to: http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/default.htm
After a successful claim for Service Connected disability there is a two year window to file for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance. This is done through Regional Office. The insurance offered is term insurance.
NOTE: To be eligible for insurance connected with a claim you must have left the service after April 1951. For more information go to: http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/buying/SDVI.htm
It is important to note that a Will will not change the beneficiary prescribed on an insurance policy. It is important to check policy to ensure that information is current.
NOTE: A veteran can sign for life insurance at the Regional Office, but two offices monitor policies nationally. To reach the office handling life insurance nearest you use the following number: 1 800 669 8477.
The office for SGLI is:
Office of SGLI
213 Washington St.
Newark, NJ 07102-9990
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